Is stevia a perennial herb?
A little introduction on Stevia
Stevia, also recognized as sweet leaf, is a flowering aster herb cultivated for its leaf, which tastes sweet.
The leaves contain sweet-tasting chemical compounds such as steviol glycosides that we can use fresh or even to sweeten drinks or sweets by drying them. Apart from that, it can be industrially filtered into powdered 0 calorie sweeteners.
Steviol glycosides, including Stevioside and Rebaudioside A, are 200 to 300 times sweeter than artificial sugar while containing 0% calories.
Is Stevia a perennial herb?
Yes, Stevia is a small perennial herb and healthier sugar substitute that’s attractive to the eye, easy to cultivate, and tastes delightfully sweet in teas and dessert.
Stevia is a delicate perennial herb that grows to an approximate height of 1 to 2.5 feet. The 2.5 cm long aromatic oblong leaves have a noticeable midrib.
The Guaran people have been using stevia leaves for almost 1,500 years. The first official record of the sweet-tasting herb was in 1899. Swiss botanist Mosè Giacomo Bertoni revealed its discovery and named it Eupatorium rebaudianum.
Japanese scientists in the early 1970s produced the first commercial stevia-derived sweetener, and it has immediately grown in popularity.
In 2008, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized glycoside extract. And, In 2011, the European Union legalized stevia sweeteners.
How does Stevia grow? Is it easy to cultivate Stevia?
You’ll be pleased to learn that stevia plants are simple to cultivate, harvest, and dry at home.
Stevia is a common garden plant that grows well in a wide range of climates. However, it is not winter tolerant and favors warmer temperatures. Stevia is best cultivated from a plant because seeds are tiny and difficult to nurture.
Besides that, we can achieve the best results by taking cuttings in late summer, rooting the plant indoors, and then caring for the plants in the sunny location over the winter.
Note – You can produce Stevia underneath fluorescent lights if you don’t really have access to direct sun exposure.
The Stevia will grow in a few weeks under such circumstances, and after the ground warms up again in the springtime, the Stevia can be transferred outside.
Stevia grows well in aerated beds or pots with the warm temperature and sunlight exposure. The plants can grow to be 16-24 inches in height, depending on the weather.
When transplanting the cuttings, space them a few feet apart and make sure they are easily accessible, as Stevia requires frequent pinching. Pinching will assure a bushier plant, similar to basil.
Is Stevia safe to consume?
This natural stevia sweetener is quite beneficial for health & considered as a healthier sugar substitute instead of table sugar. It has various health benefits and even helps in reducing the consumption of artificial sugar.
Stevia is 100% safe to consume, especially for patients with blood pressure or diabetes.
To conclude
Thanks for reading out, and we are glad to see you here. You can get Stevia in various forms based on your requirements. To know more about it, check out our Stevia – Buying guide to get going.
We at sugar fighter supply natural stevia sweeteners to our customers without any sage of artificial products. In order to discuss more or place your order, contact us now!
